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Airbus has confirmed that the entry into service (EIS) of its A350F cargo aircraft remains on track for the second half of 2027, despite speculation that it could be delayed until 2028. The company addressed concerns after a reduction in its annual production target for 2025, clarifying that the A350F program is not affected by these changes. Supply chain issues have impacted other models, but Airbus stated that the first two A350F aircraft are currently being assembled and will begin certification trials once completed.
After assembly, Airbus plans to seek type certification for the A350F from both the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. The A350F is based on the larger A350-1000 model and uses Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines. Engine supply delays and shorter maintenance intervals have been reported, particularly affecting operators in regions with challenging environmental conditions such as the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Despite these challenges, Airbus remains confident about its timeline. Crawford Hamilton, Head of Freighter Marketing at Airbus, told Leeham News & Analysis: “[We] are going toward that to meet the requirements from both the EASA and the FAA. So, as I stated, the EIS is in the second half of 2027 and remains so.”
